Gloucestershire - Forest of Dean Cycle Centre
Get pedalling in the Forest of Dean
From family-friendly rides along gentler cycling routes to more challenging terrain, you’ll find plenty of places to get pedalling in the Forest of Dean.
Some do it for the quiet, the freedom, the leisurely ride. Others do it for the thrills, the speed, the jumps and drops. Cycling is one of the most popular activities in the Forest of Dean and there are trails for all ages and abilities.
The Forest of Dean has some fabulous cycle and walking routes for all abilities. It's the perfect place to enjoy the countryside views from two wheels. Plus you can sample the delicious local food and drink when you stop to catch your breath.
The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre on the site of an old colliery should be the first stop on any cycling adventure. With a family cycling trail, blue and red graded cross-country trails and eleven downhill trails, this centre has something for everyone.
The easy Family Cycle Trail spans nine miles along the area’s historic railway lines, with access points at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Beechenhurst and Mallards Pike. It's specially surfaced and is a fantastic way to explore the Forest of Dean with the whole family.
If you're looking for something a little more strenuous, the seven mile Verderers Trail (blue graded) takes you on an uphill climb through the forest with plenty of obstacles and trickier challenges along the way. It's a circular route that starts and ends at the Centre.
The Freeminers trail is a challenging and varied red-graded cross-country trail that's ideal for even the most experienced of riders. It has some seriously tricky switchback climbs, rooty drops and hairpin bends.
Countdown and Launchpad are the first trails in the UK specifically designed for 4-wheeled gravity bikes, but are a lot of fun for 2-wheeled bikes too. You don't even need to pedal on these trails as designed to take you downhill at top speed without any pedal power.
You can even brush up on your off-roading technique with the specially designed skills areas and pump track.
